View
221
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 1/13
1
7. SEED STORAGE
Importance of Storage
The Cereals, pulses, oilseeds etc. are very important products for
storage. A safe storage place must be provided for the grain
produced until it is needed for consumption and multiplication
purposes. Since grain production is seasonal, and consumption is
continuous, safe storage must maintain grain quality and quantity.
This means that grains have to be protected from weather, molds
and other microorganisms, moisture, destructively huge
temperatures, insects, rodents, birds, objectionable odours and
contamination, and from unauthorized distribution.
Kinds of Storage Facilities:
1. On The Ground: Grain is piled on the ground unprotected only
between harvest and the availability of transport equipment
with which it can be moved to a safer place. Losses are small for
short periods because a smooth–surface pile of grain sheds rain
down its slopes quite well, permitting it to penetrate only an
inch or two. But with time, depressions develop in the surface,
allowing rain to soak downward and destroy columns of grain.
The floor of the pile absorbs moisture from the ground, and
surface water creeps under the edges of the pile. The grain is
exposed to rodents, birds, insects and wind so that losses
become severe within a few weeks.
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 2/13
2
Before the grain is
threshed, the harvested
crop is stacked near the
threshing yard in such a
way that any down pour
of rain does not get an
entry into the stacking,
but runs down the stack
by virtue of the slope provided without affecting the quality of
grains. By this method the raw grain also attains good shape
and shining colour that would be appealing to the user.
Many a times the
farmers erect a
storage bin made of
paddy straw by
twisting a bundle of
the straw to a rope
like structure and then
laying it in circular
fashion to get a bin
like structure. Paddy
grains after they are fairly dried are put into this structure again
covered with paddy straw tightly in the shape of a cone, so that
the grains are well stored inside the structure. Before putting
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 3/13
3
the grains, the ground surface also is well covered with the
paddy straw.
Temporary crib for field storage: This structure of sticks and
heavy twine is used for crops like corn and rough rice. The
shifting agriculture practiced in this tropical lowland often results
in fields being far from the farmstead. The corn will be
transferred as needed to the house. This large box has been
used for many years for storing beans and threshed corn. It is
elevated on stones to facilitate inspection for signs of rodent
activity.
2. Temporary Corn Storage: Field storage of corn is
accomplished on platforms.
The stack of un-pealed ears is
covered by a cap of partially
woven grasses.
3. Underground: Underground storage was probably the principal
method used to accumulate surpluses in primitive societies, and
it can still be found in our time. Its advantages are the grain’s
protection from seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations,
inhibition of insects and molds by a tendency towards low
oxygen and high carbon dioxide contents in the inter seed air,
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 4/13
4
and simple construction methods. Its principal drawback is the
high cost of grain handling.
4. Bagged: Bags of grain may be piled under any convenient
shelter away from weather and predators.
5. Farm Bins: Farm storage space is needed for three reasons; to
hold the crop immediately after harvest, until it can be moved to
better storage space or to market. Grain stored in bins
maintains quality better in smaller than in larger lots. Farm
storage tends to maintain the original condition of grain better
than elevator storage, provided grain is not exposed to any
moisture increase or to rodents birds or insects. The farmershave developed the oriental bins by using burnt clay which are
in use by the farm families from time immemorial.
Seed Storage
Only well-dried seeds should be stored. Seeds with moisture in
them become damp, moldy and vulnerable to insect attacks. For
drying, lay the seeds under the sun on a mat and spread them
thinly. Mix and turn the seeds 4 to 5 times in a day. Repeat the
process for about 2 to 3 days. On a hot sunny day, the seeds
spread on a mat in the morning should be heaped for some time
and again spread frequently to avoid sun-burn and damage of the
embryo.
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 5/13
5
After drying the seeds well, clean
them to remove all stones,
malformed, broken,
undersized and diseased
seeds, weed seeds, other crop
seeds, chaff and other
rubbish. These seeds must
now be stored properly. To
store seeds use containers
that are airtight and moisture-
proof. Earthen pots of burnt
clay are used for the storage
in traditional agricultural practices.
Storing seeds in a cool dry
environment keeps them
viable for longer. Seeds have
a tendency to absorb
moisture. To maintain
dryness, the storage
containers could be filled to
a quarter capacity with
either dry wood ash or dry
charcoal. If the seeds are to
be put directly into the
earthen pot then cover the dry ash with a layer. In case the
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 6/13
6
container is opened frequently, change the wood ash or charcoal
every time it is opened.
The viability and quality of seeds depend on how well they are
protected from insects and pests. There are simple ways of
protecting seeds from insects. Farmers have been using various
indigenous methods of seed storage for ages. Generally the seeds
to be stored are smeared with neem / castor oil which checks the
pest attack.
Grains are usually stored in clay vessels or gunnysacks. These
containers are coated with a paste of neem leaf or dry Neem cake
powder. The floor and room in which the seeds are stored isplastered with cow dung to keep pests away. These are just a few
very commonly used traditional seed storage practices
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 7/13
7
Storage Structures
1. Pits storage: Pits are usually excavated to be wide at the bottom
and taper to a small opening at the top; more hygroscopic than
the grain, tends to hold soil moisture away from grain mass.
2. Stone, brick, or mud
warehouses have long
been used for grain
storage. The floor of the
structure is generally
covered with cow dung
paste to avoid insect
pests by its repellent
action.
3. For storing major
grains like cereals and
pulses, mud and brick
structures with double
door system are
constructed, one door
being smaller than the
other. The bigger door is
seldom opened unless
the entire quantity of
stored grains are to be
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 8/13
8
shifted to market and the like. Small door is provided in such a
way that only one man can enter the storage, take out the
required quantity and close the same immediately without
giving room for the larger quantity being affected by external
factors.
4. Corn ears tied and
hanged on sticks or
ropes: Unhusked corn
ears are hung with the
tip downward to prevent
moisture entry, a
technique that is usedalmost throughout the
world.
5. Mud jar for threshed
cereals and pulses: This
un-burnt mud vessel
placed over stones
contains threshed grains.
The decorative design
varies by zones within the
country.
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 9/13
9
6. Vegetable Seed Storage
Method: The vegetable seeds
are normally stored by women
folk for their kitchen garden
requirements by securing the
seeds of different vegetables into
knots tied around them in a white
cloth. While doing so the seeds
are mixed with woodash / dried
neem leaf powder. After this
these are conveniently put into
Bottleguard, sprinkled woodash on the top and closed the mouthof the bottleguard.
Safe Grain Storage Methods for Wheat, Pulses and
Oilseeds
a. After harvesting of Rabi crops like wheat, pulses and oilseeds,
they are cleaned and put in an open place for sun drying. After
drying, seed grains are packed in jute bags. A store room of 20’x15’ size is used for keeping 50 to 80 qtls of seed. Spread
wheat husk on the floor upto 1-2 feet, after which all bags are
kept at a distance of one foot away from all the walls of the
room. After one layer, spread again wheat husk of 6” layer,
followed by wheat bags as done earlier. This process is repeated
to accommodate maximum produce till the room is filled, after
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 10/13
10
which the room is closed. The door has to be opened only when
needed, which helps to protect the seed/grain from insect pests
and moisture.
b. Use of garlic for safe
storage on cereals and
pulses: Take a container of
one qtl. storage capacity. At
the bottom of the container,
about 200 gm of matured
garlic are kept and then
about 20 Kg of wheat
poured into the container.
Again a second layer of 200 gm of garlic and 20 kg of cerealspoured into the container. It is repeated like this till the
container is filled. This practice is also followed for safe storage
of rice. But in case of rice, use turmeric instead of garlic. Ensure
that the container is closed tightly. This is a low cost technology
and can be easily practiced.
c. The leaves, kernels and oil of neem ( Azadirachta indica) have
been found to be very effective against a wide variety of storage
pests. Neem leaves are dried in shade and powdered. This
powder is added to the bags or containers in which the grain is
stored. Using neem oil is more efficient as the seeds have the
maximum concentration of the active ingredients (azadiragtim,
salanin and malandriol ). The quantity of oil depends on the
quantity of seeds used. Quantity of Neem oil should be one
Chapter 7
Pic 11
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 11/13
11
percent by weight of seed. Grain stored for seed purpose can be
treated with two percent by weight of seed (storing grains).
d. For safe storage of bean seeds, to one kilogram of bean seed
add 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Mix the oil with 250 gms of
seed and put it into a clean container. Add the remaining seeds
and mix till all the seeds are coated with oil. When coated well
with oil the seeds appear shiny. Generally this method is used
for vegetable seeds.
e. Bamboo grain
storage structure
plastered with cow
dung slurry
covered with alayer of paddy
straw and a layer
of dried leaves of
‘neem’ at the
bottom to store
paddy, reduces storage insect pests of paddy and prolongs
storage life. Cow dung slurry acts as disinfectant while neem
acts as an insect repellent.
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 12/13
12
The bamboo baskets are also used
for storing jaggery. The inside
surface is coated with woodash and
red soil. However, the outer surface
can be conveniently coated with cow
dung and red earth slurry with little
neem oil to drive away the insect
pests.
f. Using bamboo bins for storage: Paint the bamboo bins with the
solution prepared from neem cake. To the dry neem cake
powder water is added and a thick paste of this is painted all
over the grain bin. If one wishes to store it for more than 4months, the process should be repeated every 4 months.
g. Treatment of gunny bags for storing grains: Prepare a 10%
neem kernel solution. Once the solution is made, dip the gunny
bag into this solution for 15 minutes. Dry the gunny bags under
shade and this can be used for storing grains. The stored grain
pests will be repelled by the action of neem. In case the gunny
bags are new, they should be soaked for half an hour. For
gunny bags with close meshes and small pores, thinner solution
can be used. Make sure that the gunny bags are impregnated
on all sides with this extract. If the seeds or grains are kept
inside the house or in the godowns, there is no fluctuation in
temperature and not much sunlight. As a result of this, longer,
residual action of the neem product is obtained and the
8/3/2019 07 Seed Storage
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/07-seed-storage 13/13
13
repellent effect persists for 4 months. In store rooms, along with
the cow dung that is used for cleaning the mud floor, neem cake
or neem oil can be used straight away (in the same
concentration as used for spraying purposes). The same could
also be used for the mud walls. Neem cake solution or neem
kernel extract could also be sprayed.
****
Recommended